The Ruins

In episode 55, we're unpacking the bizarre canonization of Charlie Kirk by conservative white evangelicals in the wake of his death, exposing how pastors and faith leaders have transformed a fascist, misogynist, and white supremacist into a supposed Christian martyr. SHOW NOTES THE Facebook Status Commoners Website Commoners Instagram

In episode 54 we are joined by Jade Faletoi and talking with her about what it means to identify as a Christian in 2024. We’ll also talk about Jade’s Samoan-American family legacy, her take on worship music, and what’s it like being a queer woman of color who works at a Christian university. SHOW NOTES Jade's Instagram ABOUT The Ruins is a podcast about the journey of faith hosted by Joseph an...

In episode 53, we are joined by pastor, author, podcast host, and public theologian, Trey Ferguson and talking with him about his new book Theologizin' Bigger. We’ll also talk about reading the Bible, the deconstruction movement, politics, God’s commitment to our wholeness, and why the middle ground isn’t actually holy. SHOW NOTES Theologizin Bigger Book Trey's Website Trey's Twitter A...

In episode 52, I am going to be sharing a few pastoral thoughts on the recent happenings around the “Let Us Worship” event here in Spokane that featured white Christian Nationalist Sean Feucht, Spokane Mayor Nadine Woodward, Matt Shea, and others, and offer a few pastoral responses to what I experienced. SHOW NOTES Let Us Worship Twitter Thread ABOUT The Ruins is a podcast about the journey of fai...

In episode 51, we are joined by scholar, writer, and Gonzaga University professor, Dr. Joan Braune and talking with her about empathy and fascism. We’ll talk about how we can organize and oppose fascism in our every day lives, and how people of faith can live with integrity in the face of the ongoing threat of Christo-fascism. SHOW NOTES Dr. Braune Website International Conference on Hate Studies...

In episode 50, we are joined by Sarah Dixit, and talking with her about voting. We’ll also talk about evangelicalism, Democrats, abortion access, moving away from our inherited beliefs, and how we can love our neighbors well by voting to create a world where we all can flourish.  SHOW NOTES Planned Parenthood Abortion Fund vote.org ABOUT The Ruins is a podcast about the journey of faith hoste...

In episode 49, we are joined by my dear friend and mentor, Eugene Kim, and talking with him about the future of Christianity. We’ll talk about his journey of quitting pastoral ministry, common themes he sees in his conversations with people leaving with evangelicalism, and how New Wine Collective might just change the world. SHOW NOTES Eugene Kim Twitter Eugene Kim Facebook Eugene Kim Instagram Ne...

In episode 48, we are joined by Jonny Rashid, and talking with him about his new book Jesus Takes A Side. We’ll also talk about the future of Christianity, Christian Nationalism, white supremacy, the harm of the third way, how much salt you need while cooking, and why bipartisanship in the church doesn’t work. SHOW NOTES Jesus Takes a Side Book Jonny Rashid Twitter Jonny Rashid Instagram Johnny Ra...

In episode 47, we are joined by Damon Garcia, and talking with him about his new book The God Who Riots— Taking Back the Radical Jesus. We’ll also talk about liberation theology, capitalism in the church, abolition, forgiveness, marginalized communities, and how we can live into a better way forward, together. SHOW NOTES Damon's IG Damon's Twitter Damon's TikTok Damon's Youtube Damon's Patreon Buy...

In episode 46, we are joined by Tori Glass and talking with her about leaving Evangelicalism. We're also neuroscience, white supremacy, capitalism, bad theology, Christian Nationalism, and why Republican politics is inseparable from white evangelicalism.  Show Notes Tori's Twitter Tori's Instagram White Homework Tori Glass About The Ruins is a podcast about the journey of faith hosted by Jose...

In episode 44, we are joined by Greg, Ariel, and Kayla and talking with them about Maverick City Music. We’ll also talk about gospel music, Black artists placating to white audiences, respectability politics, capitalism, intersectionality, the white gaze, and what we do moving forward for worship music. Show Notes Kayla's Twitter Kayla's Instagram Kayla's Patreon Greg's Twitter Greg's Instagram Gr...

In episode 43, we are joined by Camille Hernandez and talking with her about purity culture in the church. We're also talking about trauma, militarization, the consent of Jesus, violence, decolonization, and how we can move forward in the way of Jesus and see restoration and healing in our communities. Show Notes Camille's Instagram Camille's Twitter Camille's TikTok Camille's Substack About The R...

In episode 42, we are joined by Dr. Nikia Smith Robert and talking with her about carceral logic and abolition. We’ll also talk about Womanist theology, her non-profit Abolition Sanctuary, Black motherhood, atonement theories, and the role that abolition has and will continue to play in the church in the years ahead. Show Notes: Dr. Nikia Website Abolitionist Sanctuary Instagram Abolitionist Sanct...

In (bonus!) episode 41 we are joined by Sena Hughes Lauer and talking with her about the harm of Mother's Day in the church. We'll also talk gender roles, God as Mother, and how we can create spaces where elevation women is an integral part of church life. Show Notes Sena's Instagram  Nicole's Instagram Shannon's Post on Instagram About Joseph and Nicole are living as bi-vocational pastors an...

In episode 40, we are joined by Nick Laparra, and talking with him about why and how he left evangelicalism. We’ll also talk about his podcast Let’s Give a Damn, Calvinist theology, smoking cigars, living in New York City, making people mad on social media, and what it looks like for us to be a damn-givers who care about seeing the world become a better place.  Show Notes  Nick's Instagr...

In episode 39 we are joined by the amazing Kat Armas and talking with her about the unnamed and overlooked theologians of our faith. We’ll also talk about her book Abuelita Faith, hermeneutics, women in the Scripture, growing up in conversation church spaces, and what it looks like for us to center and learn from abuelita theologians and discover what liberation for all of us looks like. Show Note...

In episode 38 we're talking spiritual abuse. It's been 3 years to the day since we were fired and excommunicated from our church in Vancouver, BC. Here are 5 lessons and a word of encouragement for anyone who's experienced spiritual abuse. If you don't have anyone to talk to about your experience, please reach out to us. We'd love to hold space alongside you for whatever you're feeling. Show Notes...

In episode 37 we are joined by the amazing Rev. June Joplin and talking with her about gender binaries in the church. We’ll also talk about her journey of coming out, how patriarchy affects our our theology, how we can break down toxic and oppressive binaries, and how our trans/non-binary/gnc siblings help us know God better. Show Notes June's Twitter June's Instagram June's Website MCC Toronto Ju...

In episode 36, we are joined by Rohadi, and talking with him about the whiteness of deconstruction. We’ll also talk about how his upcoming book When We Belong, pastoral ministry in Canada, and how we can move forward to reclaim Christianity on the Margins. Show Notes Rohadi Twitter Rohadi Instagram www.rohadi.com When We Belong Book Faith in a Fresh Vibe Podcast Episode 41 Conversation with Omar R...

In episode 35 we are joined by THE Brandi Miller and talking with her about white supremacy and spiritual formation. We’ll also talk about patriarchy, her podcast Reclaiming My Theology, and how we can create and form a community experience around faith deconstruction and reconstruction that isn’t led by white men. Show Notes Brandi's Instagram Brandi's Twitter Reclaiming My Theology Instagram Rec...

In episode 34, we are joined by Julia Feldman-DeCoudreaux and talking with them about what it looks like to be embody sex positivity and have access to helpful sex education. We’ll also talk about human development, what abstinence only sex ed gets wrong, and how we can learn to have more empowering, inclusive, medically accurate, and compassionate conversations about sex. Show Notes Julia's Insta...

In episode 33 we are joined by Donna Burkland, and talking with her about patriarchy and women in church planting. We’ll also talk about interfaith marriage, deconstruction, toxic theology, and how white faith leaders and can de-center themselves and help facilitate communities of liberation, anti-racism, and inclusion. Show Notes: becomingpastor.com Donna's Instagram Safe Harbor Orange Country (T...

EPISODE 32 Today we are sharing a little update about why we decided to change the name of our podcast. We'll read the recent statement we shared and talk about why we chose the name "The Ruins." SHOW NOTES Live Your Theology Out Loud by Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney ABOUT Joseph and Nicole are living as bi-vocational pastors and leaders in Spokane, Washington. To support us financially or find more info ab...

EPISODE 31 Today, we are joined by Avery Arden, and talking with them about Trans Christianity. We’ll also talk about their podcast Blessed Are The Binary Breakers, the transness of Jesus, and how we can learn to center the perspective and experience of our trans siblings and see heaven come to earth. SHOW NOTES Blessed Are The Binary Breakers Podcast Queer Nativity Podcast Episode Avery’s Instagr...

EPISODE 30 Today, I am joined by Greg Mason, and talking with him about how white supremacy shaped his view of God, faith, and theology. We’ll also talk about his podcast the Decolonized Christian podcast and how we can learn to do faith in a way that leads to the liberation of everyone. SHOW NOTES Greg's Twitter Greg's Facebook Greg's Instagram The Decolonized Christian Podcast The Decolonized Ch...